Seeing as how Nick and Aline are new in their caregiving work, we have taken the liberty of offering a few suggestions to them. This is especially because it has been really unfortunate (and also very rare) that both Nomi and Miao were afflicted with diaphragmatic hernia. The chances are so, so slim, and yet, it happened.
We thought we’d share our suggestions here for the benefit of all new caregivers. Diaphragmatic hernia is something we do not wish on anyone at all, but in case it happens, having some knowledge of it will not hurt.
Miao and her kittens are all free-roaming cats.
Miao
We empathise with how overwhelming the decision on Miao might be for you both, Nick and Aline. It is definitely not an easy decision. Nick and Aline have decided to opt for the hernia repair, the abortion and spaying as soon as possible. The vet says priority will be given to the hernia repair and only if Miao is stable, then the abortion and spaying would be done. We have explained to Nick and Aline that our funds are for saving lives and we will not be able to cover the abortion (as a blanket rule, we have to, or else it will open floodgates) so they will cover those charges themselves, but we will cover the hernia repair.
Meanwhile, Nomi is improving day by day, so that’s a “win”. Let’s take the win and rejoice.
Nomi
If Nomi can be discharged already, please remember to keep her confined so that her movements are still restricted until after stitches are removed. You may still need to restrict her movements for 1-2 months (that’s playing it very safe, according to my vet friend).
Blood transfusion incompatibility (not likely), but if there is, may peak at 2 weeks. So, monitor her for another week for any changes, like paleness, weakness, loss of appetite, sleeping more, etc. – if any, take her back to the vet immediately.
Minbao and Kaya
Again, I do not wish to worry you unnecessarily, but one of my previous vets have told me that her own kittens (brother and sister) mated at age 3 months because they became sexually active very early – this can also happen, even though it is very rare.
I cannot remember who the female is….Minbao? You may wish to ask the vet when the female can be neutered. The vet would need to check her physically first.
For males, you have to wait a bit, until the testicles have descended.
(The chances of both Nomi and Miao having diaphragmatic hernia is very, very slim, and yet it happened. Please write down everything you remember or have observed about Minbao and Kaya and give as complete a history as you can to the vet before any procedure is done.)
For those kittens born in my house (I rescued their pregnant mothers from the street or they came to me) where I looked after from birth, the females were neutered at 4.5 months and males at 5.5 months (after being checked by our vet). They also followed our vet’s protocol of deworming and vaccinations.
For those mother-cats who delivered in my house, I keep the mother totally confined after delivery, and once the kittens have weaned off breastmilk, I send them for spaying (after being certified fit by our vet).
Mother-cats can mate as soon as one day after delivery and get pregnant again. This what happened to one of the mother-cats in my neighbourhood (the one I could not catch fast enough, Samantha). Now, already spayed, living with me and her 3 daughters (the Blondies, all spayed too).
Watch out for signs of coming into heat in Minbao and Kaya, especially the female – the “ngeowing” sounds, rubbing themselves onto you, being overly manja, etc. Google for more information and videos so that you know the signs.
Normally, it won’t start so early, but just to be cautious as you do not want another pregnancy to happen.
Since both Nomi and Miao sustained the hernia in your neighbourhood, there might be such risks there. This is something to be aware of. Diaphragmatic hernias are usually caused by blunt force trauma in the abdominal area and can be sustained from falls, bumping into hard objects, accidents, being kicked by humans, etc.
If you bring Minbao and Kaya to any vet for a check-up, mention about Nomi and Miao’s cases, and request that the vet pay special attention in listening to their lungs and physically examining their abdominal area.
In the case of the grandmother cat left at my gate, Heidi, the vet detected the hernia by just palpating. But it was a mild one and nothing needed to be done.
Nomi and her siblings, Minbao and Kaya
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